Pipe carrier



Aug. 3 1926. 1,594,642

Y J. E. STEPHENSON PIPE CARRIER Filed Jan. 5, 1923 'NVENORi QBM W'TTORNEY Patented Aug. 3, 1926..

UNITED stares ear urorrica.

JAMES E. STEPHENSON, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL RAIL- WAY SIGNAL COMPANY, OF GATES, NEV-f YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

PIPE oARRinR.

Application filed January 5, 1923. Serial No. 610,807.

This invention relates to anti-friction p pe carriers for remote mechanically controlled traffic controlling devices for railroads.

Various methods have been employed for mechanically operating switches, signals, or other trafiic controlling devices located a considerable distance from a central point or tower. From these various methods has survived the well-known reciprocatory pipe line construction, which is extensively used for this purpose in this country. This meth 0d of remote control is carried out by providing an operating rod between the tower and the traffic controlling device, which is arranged so that it may be moved back and forth in one direction or the other by the switch or signal lever in the tower and" in turn cause a corresponding movement of the switch orrsignal. It is, therefore, important that such a pipe line construction should be supportedso as to have a minimumof friction. V

In practice, two particular types of antifriction pipe carriers have come into general use and are recognized as standards. Although these two types of pipe carriers are very similar, there is sufiicient difference so that certain parts of one type cannot be used exchangeably with similar parts of the other. If two or more operating pipes extend along tie trackway near to each other, it is desirable and economical to space them very closely to each other, thereby allowing the supporting frame'or pedestal of same interlocking plant, it is found diiii-- cult to install them in the economic-manner just referred to, because the support or pedestal of either of these types is not adapted for cooperation with the remaining parts of the other kind.

lVith thexabove' and other considerations in mindQthe present invention contemplates the provision of means used in connection with a pedestal of one type of pipe carrier so that it maybe used as a cooperating one pipe carrier to serve a similar function pedestal of the other type. More specifically, the present invention consists of the provision of acombined roller journal and pedestal bracing and connecting pin, which has one end constructed to fit one of the standardized pipe carrier pedestals, and has the other end constructed to fit the other type. a

Other objects, purposes and characteristic features of the invention will appear as the description thereof progresses.

In describing the invention in detail, referenee will be made to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure lshows a side elevation of a pair of pipe carriers commercially known as the universal type and arranged in the usual way, whereby one pedestal forms a common support for the rollers of two pipe carrier units;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the devices shown in. Fig.1; V

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 of another type of" pipe carrier, which is,

known commercially "as the E. Z. type, and which will for convenience be designated as such herematter;

Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the devices shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 shows a series of three pipe car rier units, the leithand one. of whichis of the universal type, the righthand one of the ltqZ. type, and the middle oneof the combined universal and E. Z. type: i

Fig. .6 is a plan view in 5; and

Big". 7 is a perspective view of'the combined journal and adapter pin forming, the new element of the novel combination embodyingthe present invention. i

In Figs. l and 2havebeen illustrated a pair of pipe carrier units, comprising three pedestals or supportingframes F OI the general shape shown and having legs 1 tor minating in perforated feet fastened to a suitable support, such as the tie 2 shown, by lagbolts 3. These frames or pedestals F are provided with a horizontally extend in slot which is slightly tapered from each outside toward the middle to form a runway torthe bearing pins 4 of the lower rollers 5. it is thus noted that upon longitudinal movement 01' a pipe t 1s adapted to rest on the roller 5and is supported in a sub of the devices shown (uni stantially frictionless manner because the bearingpins i may roll in the horizontal slots of the pedestals F with very little, if any. rubbing engagement of parts.

The top portion of the pedestalsl is bifurcated to form extensions 6 and 7, the bifurcation being rounded to form a bearing portion. Retaining rollers 8 havingbearing. pins 9 integral therewith are supported in the bearing portion between the extensions 6 and 7. In order to keep these retaining or top'rol'lers S in position, suitable retaining and bracii'ig' plates 10 are provided. These bracing plates 10 are perforated and are held in place by cotter pins 11 so that the downwardly extending end portions thereof are spaced a short distance from the bearing pins 9 to maintain the rollers 8 in their operative position, and also serve to maintain a definite and predetermined spacing.- betwecn the pedestals or frames F.

In Figs. 3 and 4: have been illustrated another well-known type of pipe carrier commercially known as the E. Z. type. The pedestals F of this type of pipe carrier are very similar to the universal type shown in Fig. 1. It should, however, be noted that the extensions 6 and 7" of the top bifurcation are spaced further apart and are not quite as long. The lower roller of the E. Z. type carrier is substantially the same as that of the universal type, and therefore. has been designated with the same reference char acter. The top roller, however, is considerably different, and consists of a stationary bearing pin 12 upon which is rotatlably supported the roller 13. As more specifically shown in 6, this bearing pin 12 has a semi-circular portion of each end thereof cut away to provide room for the overlap ping end of an adjacent bearing pin. Also, a groove has been provided transverse to the axis of the bearing pin 12 near each end thereof, to allow the lug 14 extending from the side of the extensions 6 and'7 respectively to engage the bearing pin and prevent both endwise and rotary movement thereof. The extensions 6" and 7 are perforated to receive a cotter pin 15 extending directly over the overlapped portions of the roller pin 12, thereby holding the ends of both of the adjacent roller .pins in operative position. I

In order to build up a series of pipe carrierunits, some pedestals of which are of the universal type and others are of the E. Z. type, a special adapter A has been provided which serves as a journal for the top roller and also asa reenforcing' means between two pedestals, one of which is of the universal and theother of the E. Z. type.

This adapter A consists of a body portion having a diameter to receive the roller 13.

One end of this adapter A is; constructed substantially the same as the bearing pins 12 of the E. Z. construction. The other end,

however, terminates in an upstanding arm 16 corresponding in thickness to the retaining and bearing plate 10 shown in the universal type pipe carrier and provided with a hole at the proper point, so that if the cotter pin 11 is put in place, the adapter A-Willibe properly disposed with respect to the pedestals F.

This adapte'r'A has been illustrated in its operative position in connection with the middle units of the three pipe carrier units illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, and shows how a series of pipe carrier units may be built up outof material of two distinctive types in a manner so that the several elements properly cooperate, whereby economy in space and material may be obtained.

The adapter comprising the novel element of the present invention is found to be very valuable in many instances. For instance, it is often found that remote control mechanical pipe lines for operating traflic controlling devices have. already been installed, that it is desired to provide an operating connection to another traflic controlling device located in the same direction along the track, and that pipe carriers of another type are at hand andare to be installed as a continuation of these series of pipe carrier units already in place. Obviously, the use of the adapter A is a simple and inexpensive solution to a problem of this kind. The same advantages are experienced in using this novel type of adapter in connection with the replacement of broken pedestals and other parts of pipe carriers of either type in use.

Having thus shown and described only one specific type of adapter, and the manner in which it may be applied in practice, it should be understood that variousmodifications, changes and adaptations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention or its mode of operation.

What is desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. An adapter pin for connecting pipe carrier pedestals of different types described and for pivotally supporting a roller com prising, a cylindrical body portion having one end thereof partly cut away to form a semi-circular extension, and means having a perforation extending transversely from the other end of said body portion.

2. An adapter pin for connecting pipe carrier pedestals of two different types used for supporting the pipes for operating traffic controlling devices for railways comprising, a cylindrical body'portion having a transverse groove near one end thereof to resist rotation and to form an interlocking engagement with a pedestal of one type, and means extending from one side of the'center line of the other end of said body portion having a hole therein and adapted to be fastened to a pedestal of another type.

8. An adapter pin for connecting pipe carrier pedestals of tWo different types used for supporting pipes for operating railway traffic controlling devices comprising, a cylindrical body portion having means at one end thereof to form an interlocking engagement With a pedestal of one type, and difierently formed means at the other end thereof to form an interlocking engagement With a pedestal of a different type.

In testimony whereof I hereby aflix my signature.

J AMES E. STEPHENSON. 

